Final Fantasy XVI: A Bold Evolution of an Iconic Series

Final Fantasy XVI is nothing short of a spectacle—a dazzling, audacious reinvention of what the franchise can achieve when it fully embraces action-oriented gameplay.

Surpassing my expectations, it delivers a fast-paced, intricate combat system that feels like a natural progression for the series, leaving behind the turn-based roots and active-time battle systems of its past.

Across more than 60 hours of gameplay, the experience unfolded as a thrilling, evolving dance of combos and strategies.

At its core, Final Fantasy XVI is an unapologetically linear action game.

The tightly choreographed story missions—centered around gods, Eikons, and humanity’s struggle for freedom—shine as its crown jewels.

However, these moments are occasionally diluted by the RPG mechanics and open-world elements that surround them.

Despite this, the game reaches exhilarating heights, standing tall among both Final Fantasy entries and action titles as a whole.

A Revolution Wrapped in Myth

“The legacy of the crystals has shaped our history for far too long,” proclaims the game’s tagline, and it’s a theme woven into every facet of its narrative.

Protagonist Clive Rosfield leads a band of revolutionaries, including Cid, Jill, and a richly developed supporting cast, in their quest to dismantle the oppressive structures of Valisthean society.

The story begins with a focus on vengeance and slavery—a world where magic-wielding Bearers are subjugated and traded as commodities.

Unfortunately, this aspect of the story lacks fresh insight, with its all-white main cast providing a jarring contrast to the themes of oppression it seeks to explore.

As the plot progresses, the narrative shifts its lens to broader societal pillars, delivering moments of gripping drama and heartfelt emotion.

Though it occasionally borrows a bit too liberally from its Game of Thrones inspirations, the compelling voice performances and earnest character portrayals bring authenticity to the tale.

Fans of the franchise and lovers of melodramatic, relationship-driven narratives will find much to enjoy as Clive’s journey unfolds.

A Visual Feast, With a Few Blemishes

Visually, Final Fantasy XVI dazzles with its medieval-inspired aesthetic and stylized presentation.

Environments, combat effects, and the user interface often come together in breathtaking harmony.

However, inconsistencies—such as NPC models that look unnervingly plastic and a performance mode that struggles to maintain 60 FPS—detract from the overall polish.

The cluttered visual effects in some combat sequences can also make it difficult to track the action.

Open-field areas are another weak point. While they provide vast spaces to explore, they often feel empty, with only scattered side objectives, treasure, or enemy clusters to break the monotony.

These areas highlight the game’s stronger identity as an action game rather than a traditional RPG.

Crafting, for instance, feels superficial, with materials serving little purpose beyond crafting the singular “strongest weapon” available.

Eikonic Powers: The Heart of Combat

Final Fantasy XVI truly shines in its combat system, driven by Clive’s ability to harness the powers of various Eikons.

As the story progresses, unlocking these abilities allows players to tailor their approach.

My personal favorite setup combined Phoenix, Garuda, and Bahamut—a configuration that delivered satisfying synergy and devastating power.

Accessories that reduce cooldowns or enhance specific abilities add an additional layer of customization, but beyond these tweaks, the game’s RPG elements are disappointingly linear.

Side Quests: A Mixed Bag

Side quests in Final Fantasy XVI vary widely in quality.

While many follow a predictable formula of fetch and combat tasks, they often contain rich dialogue and world-building details that enhance the overall narrative.

Creative Business Unit III also introduces a clever feature: quests marked with a “+” symbol reward players with meaningful upgrades, such as increased potion capacity or a Chocobo mount.

These rewards make the side content feel worthwhile, even if the pacing pales in comparison to the main story missions.

The Thrill of the Main Story

It’s in the primary narrative missions that Final Fantasy XVI truly soars.

These sequences—with their jaw-dropping setpieces, emotionally charged moments, and masterful pacing—deliver some of the series’ finest experiences.

One particular climactic battle, lasting nearly an hour, stands as one of my favorite moments in gaming history.

The intensity and spectacle of these sequences demonstrate Creative Business Unit III’s confidence and command over the franchise.

The Power of Music

The soundtrack by Masayoshi Soken is a standout triumph.

From delicate piano melodies to epic choral arrangements, Soken’s compositions elevate every moment, often stealing the show.

Fans of his work in Final Fantasy XIV will find his score here to be just as unforgettable, solidifying his reputation as one of the franchise’s greatest composers.

A Journey Worth Remembering

After 65 hours in Valisthea, there’s still more to explore, and I’m not ready to leave Clive and his world behind.

While Final Fantasy XVI stumbles in integrating its RPG and action elements seamlessly, its highs far outweigh its lows.

It redefines what a Final Fantasy game can be while staying true to the series’ essence. When I look back on my time with this entry, it’s the unforgettable battles, heartfelt story beats, and bold reinvention that linger in my mind—a testament to why Final Fantasy remains such a beloved series.